Tableau is a collaborative software application used for data analytics and visualization. This software allows organizations that work with business information analytics to simplify raw data into a format that’s easy to understand. It also helps those who come from a non-technical background design customized dashboards. Data visualizations created in Tableau depict trends or patterns that can help audience members better understand the data. 

Tableau is the second-most popular tool on the market for business intelligence tasks. It’s used by organizations of all sizes and types for tasks like data blending, real-time analysis, and collaboration. It also has applications for ad hoc analysis, online analytical processing, queries, spreadsheet integration, data discovery, BI search, and a range of other functions for analytics and analysis. Because Tableau doesn’t require programming skills or technical training, it’s become popular across business sectors and industries. 

A great way to learn Tableau is to enroll in a bootcamp. Participants in bootcamps receive hands-on training from instructors with real-world experience analyzing and visualizing data. The skills learned in a Tableau bootcamp can help you contribute in meaningful ways to your organization by spotting key trends in its data and sharing these findings with others. Because so many organizations see the value in data, Tableau knowledge is an in-demand skill that can lead to high-paying job opportunities and upward career mobility. Bootcamp study is an excellent way to gain the Tableau training needed to excel at your current job or pursue a new career path entirely.

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a data visualization tool. This software can simplify raw data into an accessible dashboard format that incorporates visual depictions of raw data, which can then be understood by various professionals working within a company.

Tableau provides features for real-time analysis, data blending, and collaboration capabilities. It allows Data Analysts to manipulate live datasets and devote more effort to analysis than data wrangling. Because Tableau doesn’t require programming or technical skills, it’s an accessible tool for data analytics.

Read more about what Tableau is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do With Tableau?

Tableau can bring together various data sources into a single point of truth. This provides one central source that’s useful for all types of business reporting. It also efficiently performs ETL operations (extract, transform and load). Tableau’s automated data reshaper tool can transform any data into the necessary format by splitting fields or eliminating headers or white space. Tableau’s automated reporting feature allows you to easily create a report, then set it to focus on a specific dataset so that the data will automatically refresh without requiring any coding knowledge. This tool’s visualization capabilities present information clearly, effectively, and engagingly.

Why Learn Tableau in a Bootcamp or Class?

If you’re interested in learning how to create stunning data visualizations with Tableau, bootcamp study is an excellent option. Bootcamps are offered by many providers in the in-person or live online environment. This training format takes place in a small class setting with a cohort of learners interested in developing their data visualization skills. Not only do you have access to an instructor in real-time who’s available to answer questions and provide guidance, but you also have the opportunity to network with other bootcamp participants. 

Unlike certificate programs or college study that can take months or years to finish, bootcamps provide an accelerated learning format. Tableau bootcamps can usually be completed in just a few days, so you can immediately begin applying the skills you learn to your current job. Instead of having to devote time to learning a range of skills you may not even need for work, bootcamps are focused on teaching you how to transform raw data into accessible visuals. Some educational providers offer bootcamps that combine three shorter skills classes into one longer program. These bootcamps begin with a day or session of introductory-level Tableau instruction. Students then progress to intermediate-level training. By the completion of the bootcamp, participants move into advanced Tableau data visualization concepts and skills. Instead of paying full price for each individual skills course, a bootcamp that combines all three levels may be offered at a reduced price.

Some bootcamp programs include additional benefits, such as the option of a free course retake for a year to revisit class material. Others provide students with access to supplementary materials, such as online tutorials for beginner-friendly video content breaking down Tableau into easy-to-follow instruction. Bootcamps sometimes also include career support services that can help with the job application process.

Another benefit of bootcamp study is cost. Bootcamp study generally costs several hundred dollars. This is a much more affordable way to study Tableau than enrolling in a certificate program or studying this software in college. Learners may wish to complete a bootcamp that focuses on data analytics, then enroll in one that teaches Tableau. Because so many classes are available from top educational providers on this popular data visualization tool, a range of great learning options are currently available for those interested in bootcamp study.

Bootcamps Compared to College

Learning Tableau in the college or university setting is another way to acquire skills with this software. Those who enroll in a four-year degree program and wish to focus on Tableau receive hands-on training from expert instructors with a background in data visualization. However, majoring specifically in Tableau isn’t an option at universities. Instead, students who wish to study this tool have to major in a field like data analytics, which would include Tableau training alongside other skills and software, such as Excel, Python, and SQL. Additionally, most colleges require students to complete general education requirements in fields unrelated to data analytics, such as English or philosophy. This means that only some coursework will focus on data analytics; of that, only a class or two may pertain exclusively to Tableau.

Bootcamps, on the other hand, offer a condensed, focused way to study only Tableau. Learners can select a Tableau bootcamp that takes them from beginner-level instruction through advanced training. Instead of spending eight full semesters acquiring Tableau skills alongside other coursework, bootcamp participants study Tableau only, allowing them to focus their full attention and efforts on learning this skill. Most bootcamps take only days to complete, which means the skills taught can be applied immediately to real-world data projects. Bootcamps are available in person and live online, so participants can choose to study in person at a provided training facility or complete lessons from their own space. 

Another benefit of bootcamp study is cost. Four-year colleges and universities can be quite expensive. On average, a university study in the US costs $35,000 a year. This number is projected to increase by over 7% a year. Instead of spending $140,000 on a college degree, those who wish to learn only one skill can opt to enroll in a bootcamp and spend a few hundred dollars learning Tableau. Some bootcamps even provide additional incentives college study doesn’t always include, such as career counseling or job search support. For learners interested in acquiring Tableau training alongside other data analytics topics, bootcamps are available in many popular data-related skills, such as organizing data on Excel spreadsheets, communicating with relational databases using SQL, or creating data visualizations using Python. It’s a much more cost-effective learning approach to enroll in several bootcamps to develop data visualization skills than it is to pay four years of college tuition.

Bootcamps Compared to Self-Paced Courses

Self-paced coursework is another training option for those interested in learning Tableau. Whereas most bootcamps occur in real-time and provide students access to a live instructor, self-paced training material is pre-recorded. After paying tuition, students can access materials like online tutorials and videos explaining Tableau and how to work with this software. One of the main benefits of self-paced content is the flexibility of this training format. Whereas bootcamps require attending class on a specific day and time (and in-person study requires commuting to and from class each meeting), self-paced materials can be accessed from any location at any time. This makes self-paced learning a good option for those who need to balance their Tableau study around full-time work, travel, or personal commitments. 

Because bootcamps are led by a live instructor, the pace of coursework is determined by the teacher. This framework can be useful for students who prefer structure and guidance. On the other hand, asynchronous materials allow students to complete their studies at their own pace and pause or rewind video content as often as necessary. This can help with note-taking and give students control over their learning speed. 

Another benefit of asynchronous Tableau content is the cost. Self-paced coursework is generally the most affordable way to study Tableau. Some educational providers even offer free training videos on YouTube and free supplemental coursework. Other content ranges in price from under a hundred dollars to several hundred dollars. Those hesitant to invest thousands of dollars in Tableau study can begin with self-paced material before committing to more costly study options.

Because so much self-paced material is available online, it can be difficult to select which is the most current. It’s important to research the provider and read student reviews to ensure the content you select is up to date. Additionally, choosing training material at the appropriate level is also necessary. Those new to Tableau likely need a beginner-level class, whereas individuals with a data analytics background may wish for intermediate or advanced resources. Some coursework is short; YouTube videos, for example, may cover one Tableau skill and require just a few minutes to watch. Other classes take only an hour to complete. Longer self-paced programs are also available from some providers and can span several weeks of study. 

One important consideration of self-paced Tableau content is that there is no way to ask questions. When studying more complex Tableau skills like customizing data visualizations, students must find answers on their own. This is why self-motivated learners may be more comfortable with self-paced study than those who require more structured learning. For those who need to learn Tableau for professional reasons, such as to complete an upcoming work project or to apply for a new position in data analytics, self-paced coursework can be a good starting point. However, to fully master this software’s many advanced capabilities, real-time coursework such as a bootcamp or certificate program may be more helpful. 

Bootcamps Compared to Free Training Options

There are several important considerations if you’re deciding between enrolling in a bootcamp or studying Tableau via free training materials. Free online content is a good place to start for Tableau study. Many educators offer free online resources, such as YouTube videos, blogs, and tutorials. These materials provide learners with a low-stakes overview of data analytics and data visualization and allow them to begin working with Tableau.

Since free online Tableau content is pre-recorded, no instructor is available to offer clarification or answer questions. This can make it difficult for some learners to master more complicated data visualization skills. Bootcamp study, on the other hand, occurs in real-time, which means participants in the in-person or live online course can ask questions as they occur. Live online bootcamp participants also can share their screen (with permission) with the instructor for additional support or guidance. Although bootcamp study is not free and can cost several hundreds of dollars, tuition provides more than just live instruction; it also includes additional perks like career counseling and interactive learning with a cohort in real-time.

If you’re interested in studying Tableau with free training material, it’s a good idea to research the educator who posted the information. This can help ensure it contains instruction on the most current version of Tableau and the corresponding best practices. You will also need to select resources that are at your skill level. Beginner-friendly videos are available that span just a few minutes or a few hours. Some free material focuses on a specific Tableau skill, such as publishing data visualizations, whereas other content is more comprehensive in scope and helps students become familiar with Tableau’s interface and most-used features. 

Free training material is a good starting place for most individuals in their Tableau study. However, for those who need to learn Tableau for professional reasons, such as for a looming work project or to advance into a new role, live instruction may be a more useful approach ultimately to reinforce more advanced data visualization skills.

Learn Tableau Skills with Noble Desktop

For those new to Tableau, Noble Desktop’s Tableau Bootcamp teaches students the fundamental components of data visualization. Participants explore Tableau Public’s tools to connect to datasets, analyze, filter, and structure data to create visualizations. Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate provides in-depth Python, SQL, and Excel training. Expert instructors ensure those enrolled receive training to become Data Analysts or Business Analysts. One-on-one mentoring is provided for all students.

In addition, if you’re interested in exploring Tableau on your own, Noble’s Tableau Resources page has more than 50 articles to help you learn more about this powerful data visualization tool.

Key Takeaways

• Those interested in studying Tableau can select from a range of learning formats, such as bootcamp study, four-year college study, self-paced materials, and free online tutorials.
• Bootcamp study is an excellent way to learn Tableau. Those who enroll in a bootcamp receive live instruction from an expert instructor. Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars a year on four-year college study, bootcamps typically take only days to complete and cost a fraction of the price.
• Tableau instruction is available in the live format as well as through self-paced materials. Students who enroll in live coursework can study in person or online with a live instructor. Self-paced Tableau material is pre-recorded, and learners complete it asynchronously. 
• If you’re ready to start learning Tableau, let Noble Desktop help. Noble offers comprehensive training in Tableau, as well as in data analytics and other related tools, in the in-person and live online formats.